A wax statue of John Wayne watches as Donald Trump kisses John Wayne's daughter Aissa at the John Wayne Museum in Winterset, Iowa, on Jan. 19.AP Photo

WINTERSET, Iowa — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is kicking off a swing through Iowa at the John Wayne Birthplace Museum, where he received an endorsement from the Western film actor’s daughter, Aissa Wayne.

The Duke and The DonaldMike Theiler/UPI

The endorsement was announced Tuesday in front of a life-size, rifle-toting model of the actor in full cowboy gear.

Aissa Wayne said the country needs a strong and courageous leader like her father. She said John Wayne would be offering his endorsement if he were still alive.

Trump said he was a big fan of Wayne and that the actor represented strength and power — which the American people are looking for.

He said, “We have exactly the opposite from John Wayne right now in this country.”

The museum includes an extensive collection of memorabilia from Wayne’s movies.